MANHATTAN - One of the biggest events in sports - the Ryder Cup - will hold its matches this weekend at the Valhalla Golf Club in Louisville, Ky.

Monday

Sep 15, 2008 at 12:01 AMSep 15, 2008 at 6:00 PM

Harold Bechard - The Hutchinson News - hbechard@hutchnews.com

But before Paul Azinger and Nick Faldo send their respective teams into battle Friday morning for the biennial match between the United States and Europe, there's a football game to be played.

It, too, will be on center stage.

"Oh yeah, it's like the whole world is watching," Kansas State linebacker Antwon Moore said. "Not this game or that game, they're watching you - Kansas State and Louisville. It's a big thing."

Well, maybe not as big as the Ryder Cup, but Wednesday night's Kansas State-Louisville matchup will certainly be the Wildcats' toughest test of the season to date.

Louisville (1-1) enters the 7 p.m. game a 31/2-point underdog. The Cardinals stubbed their toe in their season opener against Kentucky - a 27-2 loss - but came back with a 51-10 mauling of Tennessee Tech a week later.

Kansas State, which is 2-0 after lopsided wins over North Texas and Montana State, is fully aware of how tough Wednesday's ESPN2 game will be.

But the Wildcats also know the game will be an opportunity to show the nation they will be a force to be reckoned with in the upcoming Big 12 Conference race.

"Maybe some people talk about Louisville not being up to where they were a couple years ago," K-State defensive end Ian Campbell said. "But we're not where we were in 2003, so both programs are trying to get back to where they were and make a name for themselves."

Campbell and his teammates on defense will face a big, physical offensive line with a pair of running backs in the 210- to 240-pound range running behind them. Two of Louisville's linemen, center Eric Wood and left tackle George Bussey, have started a combined 66 games in a row.

"They're arguably as good or better than anybody we'll play, as far as an offensive line goes," Campbell said. "They can expose you flat out if you're not prepared to tackle. They have big backs and fast backs. They have that 1-2 punch and if you're not ready to tackle what they've got, it'll be a bad day for you."

And having a bad night on defense is the last thing junior strong safety Courtney Herndon wants to have happen.

"There's going to be a lot of people watching, so if you mess up, not only are the people in the stands going to see it, but millions and millions," Herndon said. "You do not want to mess up on this Wednesday night when only two teams are playing. Everybody is going to see the game."

The city of Louisville, just recovering from a Sunday visit by the aftermath of Hurricane Ike, is buzzing these days with some of the biggest names in golf in town.

But Kansas State wants to make a name for itself as well and hopes for a little revenge in the process. Louisville came to Manhattan in 2006 and won a 24-6 decision over the Wildcats. It was coach Ron Prince's first loss at K-State.

"We're excited. We're THE game," junior offensive tackle Nick Stringer said. "We've been looking forward to this. We got beat by them in '06 and we can't wait to get down there. It's going to be great competition, a great atmosphere.

"The Ryder Cup is in town this weekend, so there's going to be a lot of people, a lot of celebrities down there. We're expecting the crowd to be pretty wild."

All the hoopla surrounding the football game and what will take place later in the week on the golf course is fine, according to Campbell. But the senior from Cimarron just wants to get back on the field after what will be an 11-day layoff.

"I'm pumped up, but not so much that it's national TV or anything like that," Campbell said. "We've had some time off and I'm ready to play another opponent and ready to play a game. It's been 10 days and it feels like we've had another camp. It's going to be good preparation for Big 12 play, too."

Herndon, who was named the national defensive player of the week after the Montana State game, agrees.

"I hate open dates and I always want to play as soon as possible," Herndon said. "I can't wait until Wednesday. That's all I can said."